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STUMPS: Absorbing day at Hove as Sussex look to lay foundations

Sussex laid strong foundations on Day Two at The BrightonandHoveJobs.com County Ground as they ended the day 129 for 1 against Warwickshire, 324 runs behind their visitors.

The day began with the reigning champions resuming on 276 for 4 following the slow pace of yesterday’s play and the key man of Jonathan Trott still at the crease.

But he was the first man to go this morning as Chris Jordan (pictured), buoyed by his form lastnight, used all of his pace and bounce and the England man hung his bat out to dry and feathered behind to Matt Prior. The same combination accounted for former Sussex gloveman Tim Ambrose, who had been lucky to survive the Jordan onslaught on Wednesday evening, and he eventually departed today for a thirty-ball duck.

Laurie Evans was bowled by the spin of Monty Panesar for 19 after he and Chris Woakes had begun to build a partnership but it was Tom Milnes who really got to grips with the bowling, along with the latter, before James Anyon rearranged his stumps. His knock of 42 though was his best so far in the LV=County Championship cricket.

Woakes has been long-talked about in England circles for his ability with both bat and ball and an innings of 72 here, as he put on over 100 with Milnes, did his chances no harm at all until he was bowled by Panesar attempting a big shot across the line.

The innings was wrapped up when Prior took his record-equalling sixth catch in the innings, dismissing Boyd Rankin off the bowling of James Anyon. He joins a list of eight further Sussex ‘keepers who have claimed six dismissals in a first-class innings. Ben Brown, playing in this match as a batsman, is also on the list.

Jordan finished the innings pick of the Sussex bowlers with figures of 4 for 73 whilst Anyon and Panesar took three and two wickets respectively as the Bears were bowled out for 453.

Sussex looked to make hay in the gorgeous late evening sunshine at Hove and the opening partnership looked set for big score. Both Chris Nash and Luke Wells looked untroubled until the former flashed at one from Chris Wright which edged low down into the slip cordon. The ball appeared to be juggled from Will Porterfield's boot to Varun Chopra who did the rest to cling on.